Mark denies race attack on Speaker, Senate President

“Baseless, groundless, stupid and ludicrous.”

That was how UNC’s Chairman and Leader of Opposition business in the Senate, Wade Mark yesterday described statements by Prime Minister Patrick Manning that the UNC was relentless attacking House Speaker Barry Sinanan and Senate President Linda Baboolal because they were East Indian. Manning said the UNC  was  targetting  East Indians in the PNM. But Mark stated that the UNC had nothing personal against Sinanan or Baboolal nor were they criticising them because of their race. “They could have been African, Chinese, Portuguese (it would still be the same).

What we are saying is that people who preside in the Parliament, should resign from their party position,” he said. He added that it was the UNC’s understanding that both Sinanan and Baboolal were not only card carrying members of the PNM, but also were paying five per cent of their salaries to the party (as dues which all legislators are required to pay in the PNM). “Now how could you operate with even-handedness in the face of this situation,” he said. Mark said he did not know if Baboolal and Sinanan were intimidated by the PNM Government and by the knowledge that a previous Manning Government had locked up a Speaker who wouldn’t do his bidding, (Occah Seapaul). Mark who several weeks ago accused Danny Montano of behaving like a white slave master, stated that the UNC stood for national unity, justice, inclusion and equality.